Born in New Jersey, USA, Aida de Acosta was an American socialite.
In 1903, she was visiting Paris, France, and met Brazilian pioneer aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. He taught her how to operate his personal dirigible, “No. 9”.
After a few lessons and six months before the Wright Brothers’ first flight, Acosta flew Santos-Dumont’s aircraft solo from Paris to Château de Bagatelle and landed in the polo field. She became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft solo.
Acosta did not pursue flying activities after her return to the USA. In 1922, she became afflicted with glaucoma. She was an advocate for improved eye care and the founder of the first eye bank in America.
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